Copyright 2006 The Times-Picayune Publishing Company
Authorities say teen in critical condition
By BOB USSERY
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
A fire engine responding to a call struck a car on South Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans, injuring three people including a teenage boy, who was in critical condition Saturday evening, authorities said.
The collision occurred Saturday about 11 a.m. when a fire truck heading toward the river on South Carrollton hit a car carrying two teenage boys at Apricot Street, said New Orleans Fire Department spokesman Roman Nelson. After the collision, the fire truck dragged the car against two parked cars, Nelson said.
The driver of the car apparently was trying to turn left from Walmsley Avenue onto South Carrollton, Nelson said. Walmsley Avenue becomes Apricot Street when it crosses South Carrollton.
The traffic light at the intersection was not working after the crash, but there were conflicting reports as to whether it was working before the wreck, Nelson said. He said there were no stop signs at the intersection.
One teen was outside the car talking after the wreck, but the other had to be removed with power equipment. Nelson said a firefighter suffered a back injury.
He said one teen was treated at Touro Infirmary and released, and the other teen and the firefighter were taken to Ochsner Foundation Hospital, where the teen underwent surgery.
Amiee Goforth, public affairs director at Ochsner, said the teen was in critical condition in an intensive care unit, and the firefighter was treated and released.
The names of the injured were not released.
Nelson said the pump truck, which carried four firefighters, was on its way to a small trash fire on the ground floor of a building at South Claiborne Avenue and Dante Street. The truck had its flashing lights and siren on, Nelson said. The injured firefighter was a rear passenger on the truck.